A total of 1,000 non-government teachers started the hunger strike at Muktangaon in the city to drum up support in favour of their demand for nationalisation of their jobs which was an election pledge of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

"We hope that the government will pay heed to our demand as it was their election pledge," said a leader.

Earlier, Rashed Khan Menon, president of Workers Party, Shawkat Hossain Neelu, presidium member of Jatiya Party, Nurul Islam, leader of Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad and Principal Habibur Rahman Ripon, president of Sanjukta Shikkhak Parishad went to the Muktangan to express solidarity with the teachers.